Do a little partying for me while you’re at it. I’ll be getting myself in gear for SMX East next week. Lisa Buyer and I have committed ourselves (and I do mean straight jacket committed) to liveblogging 15 sessions during the week. Plus I’ll be reviving my roving reporter role for SEM Synergy along with keeping dates with some of my favorite industry and Gothamites.

Birthday dude Tony Adam is one man I’ll be buying a drink for in the Big Apple. This week Tony thoughtfully prodded us to think for ourselves, sharing his own story of how these simple but potent words have shaped his life in wonderful and unexpected ways.

Birthday wishes are also in order for the beautiful Golden State, California, who turns 161 today. You were the 31st state, but always the first in my heart. Commemoration is also in order for Star Trek, which marked its 45th anniversary this week.

And on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I know we’ll all be taking a moment in our own way to remember brave Americans, our many blessings, and the unbreakable pride we have in being part of this great nation.

Remembering the past can hurt, but it can also empower. We can read the past to see a clearer future. The Evolution of the Web was a stand-out visualization I came across this week, both for showing how interactive infographics can redeem some novelty for the medium and for illustrating the complex history and interactions of Web technologies over time.

Technologies, as we know, phase out other technologies over time. The U.S. Postal Service seems to be the latest vicitm of this effect thanks to e-mail. The snail mail service is looking at major cuts immediately and a possible shut down by this winter.

Facebook, darling of perhaps the most popular Web genre ━ that is, social media ━ has been moving itself forward this week, testing friend filters, News Feed organization and sharing controls.

Do you have time to kill and have exhausted your Facebook feed? Venture at your own risk into the wonderland that is the Sleep Talkin’ Man‘s colorful sleepscape. Hat tip to our own Mike Thompson for introducing the office to the delightful nightly dream drama. My favorite so far is the turd turtle. Share yours in the comments?

Some are calling the newest Nike a dream come true. A 1500 pair limited run of the Nike Air Mag, a recreation of Marty McFly’s Back the Future sneaker, will be made and auctioned on eBay. All net proceeds of the shoe (sans self-lacing capacity) will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation and its efforts to eradicate Parkinson’s disease.

While time travel is still a major mystery, scientists remain hard at work at solving mysteries of the human mind. My favorites this week include research into free will and the brain (studies of brain activity suggests decisions are made at least 7 seconds before a conscious awareness of that decision is reached) and tips for avoiding decision fatigue (the will power you use up throughout the day to help you make choices).

Now go out and make good (read: fun) choices this weekend and I’ll see you next week in New York!

About the Author

I'm Virginia Nussey, content and media department manager at Bruce Clay, Inc. I joined BCI in 2008 as a content writer and blogger. Now I oversee and edit content we write for our clients and also manage BCI's content, from the website and blog to our weekly podcast, monthly newsletter, multiple books and social communities. Head over to my author page for links to my social profiles, and let's connect.

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